St. Martinville alum signs with Coastal Alabama
Published 9:30 am Wednesday, April 3, 2024
- Duncan 3
Former St. Martinville Senior High basketball standout JayVyn Duncan will continue his career with Coastal Alabama North Community College.
The 5-foot-10 point guard, who graduated from SMSH in 2023, spent the last season with the Louisiana Knights Post Grad program based in Lafayette. The Knights posted a 23-12 record against collegiate opponents, one of which was Coastal Alabama.
Duncan totaled 29 points, eight assists, five rebounds, three blocks and two steals against the Coyotes, who were so impressed they decided to sign him.
“That was one of the best games I had,” Duncan said. “I shot the ball very efficiently.”
Duncan said Coastal Alabama has won a conference championship in four of the last six years. He visited the campus in Monroeville, Alabama, last week.
“One thing I enjoyed is that the first thing they did was challenge me to become a better version of myself,” he said. “I’m all about getting better every day.”
Duncan was named the Louisiana Knights’ 2023-24 Player of the Year. The Knights’ X page (formerly known as Twitter) indicated in a post that Duncan shot more jumpers, free throws and 3-pointers than anyone on the team.
“My goal is to eventually get to the highest level of basketball,” he said. “I want to put in the work, keep moving forward and make sure I get the most out of every day.”
It didn’t take long for Duncan to adjust to the style of the college game. In his second outing vs. Jacksonville (Texas) College, he went off for 25 points, five assists, three steals and two blocks.
“That’s when I really understood the physicality of the collegiate level,” he said.
The Knights have been a huge success with only two years under their belt. Founder Tony Living has been able to get his entire roster recruited by college programs, Duncan said.
“Honestly, you really get looked at,” he said. “Everybody on the team has an offer or interest from colleges. It’s a great thing.”
He and Knights’ teammate Jevion Sam led SMSH to a district championship, the No. 5 seed and a Division II non-select second round playoff appearance as seniors.
“Great decision…you earned this by working hard,” the Knights’ X page commented on Duncan’s post announcing his commitment.